Welcome to D4/4
Welcome to D4/4! This is a review of what to expect during your stay with us. Please address questions and concerns as soon as they arise. We want to make this stay as comfortable and pleasant as we can.
Rooms
All rooms on this floor are single rooms. You will not have a roommate. There is a call light attached to the wall. The call light is used to control the television, call the nurse or nursing assistant, and control the lights in the room. Be sure that your call light is within reach before staff (doctor, nurse, nursing assistant, etc.) leaves your room.
Tests and Procedures
Labs are drawn daily. They are drawn in the early morning between 5 am and 7am. These labs are ordered by your doctor for a range of reasons. You can ask your doctor or nurse about the lab results.
Tests or procedures may be ordered for you. These will depend on your diagnosis. Your doctor should explain them to you. You may need to stop eating for a few to many hours due to the nature of the test. Please ask for more information about procedures and tests if needed. The length of time to get the results depends on the procedure or test that is done. Your doctor will discuss the results with you either later in the day or the next day.
Medical Treatment and Equipment
When you arrive on D4/4, an IV (intravenous catheter) will be placed in one of your arms. Patients must have an IV, in case of emergency, at all times. This is for your safety. An IV must be changed every 3 days. This is UW Hospital policy. Please tell your nurse if your IV becomes sore, painful, red, or swollen, or is over 3 days old.
A Foley catheter may be placed in your bladder if you are not able to get up to the bathroom or if you have trouble with urine leakage. Even though your bladder is empty, you may still have the urge to pass urine. This is normal. The Foley will be removed as soon as possible.
If your oxygen levels are below normal or you are having trouble breathing, you may be given oxygen. Oxygen may be given to you through a nasal prong placed on your face. The nursing staff will check your oxygen levels and remove it when your levels have returned to normal. Please tell the nurse if you feel short of breath or have trouble breathing.
SCDs (sequential compression devices) are often ordered by the doctor. These are sleeves that are wrapped around your legs. They tighten and then loosen to help maintain proper blood flow to your legs. Since you may not be moving as much as you would at home, this is an effort to prevent blood clots from forming in your legs.
Pain Control
It is vital that your pain or discomfort be managed. The nurse will ask you if you are having pain and at what level the pain is. The nurse will then ask if you would like pain medicine and attempt to treat you with pain medicine that the doctor orders. Please tell the nurse if your pain does not go away after pain medicine is given. If you are having pain at any time, please use your call light to call the nursing staff.
Activity, Exercise, and Safety
It is vital that you resume your normal activity level as soon as you feel you can. We’d like you to get up to the chair to eat, walk to the bathroom, and walk in the hall with help. Do NOT try to do these things without help! Please call for help in getting to chairs, bathroom, etc. Moving around can prevent weakness, bed sores, and stiffness.
Nutrition
The doctors will select a diet for you. It will be entered into a computer system. UW Hospital offers Room Service in which you are able to select your meal choices from a menu. The number to dial is 5-0202. You will be asked your name and room number which is listed on the dry erase board in each room. The kitchen has your diet order entered in their computer and knows what you can and cannot eat. If you need help with placing your order, please ask the nurse or nursing assistant.
Self Care
We encourage patients to get cleaned up daily as it is a vital part of your daily routine. We can provide some personal care items for you to use. Linens are changed daily to ensure patient comfort.
Discharge Information
You should be discharged in the mid to late afternoon. Doctors visit patients in the morning and then must complete paperwork with clinic appointments, medicines, and home care instructions. Once this paperwork is complete, the nurse and pharmacists must review them, schedule appointments, and review and complete a discharge medicine list. This can take a number of hours to complete so please plan for your ride home when this is done.
The information provided should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.
Last Updated: 01/25/2011
Copyright © 01/25/2011 University of Wisconsin Hospitals and Clinics Authority. All rights reserved. Produced by the Department of Nursing. HF#7144
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